Convicted Felon Becomes A Lawyer Has Inspired Others Through Her Journey With Drug Addiction
By Mike-Ross
In 2012, a car accident marked a turning point in Sarah Gad's life. Initially prescribed opioids to manage her pain, her reliance on these pills persisted even after their medical necessity had waned. Despite external appearances suggesting an ideal life – she was simultaneously pursuing medical school – the clutches of addiction gradually dismantled everything.
As addiction tightened its grip, Sarah's life crumbled further after her first felony charge. Between 2012 and 2015, she experienced a tumultuous cycle of entering and exiting jail. To compound the challenges, her incarceration led her to Cook County Jail, where she endured unimaginable abuse. In a desperate quest for assistance, her family fervently sought out individuals who could provide the help she desperately needed.
“I couldn’t even process it,” Sarah said. “I was in medical school at a top 15 institution and, suddenly, I’m a convicted felon with a drug problem.”
That is when Kathleen Zellner stepped into her life. Known for taking on cases involving wrongful convictions, she noticed the potential Sarah had to do great things with her life. She was so sure, in fact, that she offered her a position at her law firm.
While working for Kathleen, she had the chance to see just how capable she is of making a difference in people’s lives, including the life of Mario Casciaro. He was wrongfully convicted of murder, but getting him freed from jail was no simple task. By succeeding, she realized that this was what she wanted to do with her life.
“I had the privilege of being able to be present when a person that I had helped prove they were wrongfully convicted of murder,” Sarah said. “I was able to be at the prison and be with him as he took his first steps up to freedom, hugging his family.”
Sarah’s pursuit of a better life was off to a great start. She even got accepted into the University of Chicago’s law school, something she could afford thanks to a settlement for Cook County. Then, one more hurdle lay before her.
Because she was a repeat drug offender, she had to appear before a judge. There was a chance Sarah would be seen as unable to be rehabilitated and would face a mandatory minimum sentencing. Instead, like Kathleen, the judge saw her potential.
In 2020 she graduated and two years later, she received her license to practice. Now, she runs her own firm in Minneapolis.
Thanks to her first-hand experience with the criminal justice system, she’s all the more prepared and has chosen to specialize in civil rights violations, criminal defense, and immigration law. In fact, she recently won her first murder case where she was able to help free yet another innocent person.
“I recognized her enormous potential for making a real contribution to society and I tried to influence her in that direction,” Kathleen said. “She has transformed herself from a criminal defendant into a champion for the legally oppressed. All she needed was a second chance.”
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